UTEP Miners

GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT

THE OPENING TIP

The UTEP women's basketball team (2-7) faces a tall test by playing at streaking Arizona (8-1) at 6:30 p.m. MT Monday. Both teams are well rested, having last played on Dec. 9. The Miners enter the contest on seven-game skid, including falling last time out at home to Portland State, 89-61, on Dec. 9. UTEP is 0-2 on the road in 2018-19. The Wildcats are flying high, riding their longest winning streak (seven) since the 2003-04 season. They are off to their best start since 2011-12, and enter Monday's match-up with the sixth-best margin of victory (+27.0) in the nation. UA is 4-1 at home. It marks the third straight contest for the Miners against a foe which enters with one or fewer losses. The game will be broadcast locally on 600 ESPN El Paso with Duke Keith flying solo on the call. There will also be a live stream on Arizona Live Stream.

 

GAME FORMAT

NCAA women's basketball games are played in four 10-minute quarters. Teams reach the bonus and shoot two free throws on the fifth team foul in each quarter. In the four-quarter format, team fouls reset to zero at the start of each frame. Teams have four timeouts (three 30s, one 60), three of which carry over to the second half. They will be able to advance the ball to the frontcourt after a timeout with less than 59.9 seconds in 4Q. There are seven media timeouts (four under five minutes in quarter/first called), two intermission media timeouts (after first and third quarters) and the first team-called timeout during the second half. Bands or amplified music may play during any dead ball.

 

HE SAID IT (COACH BAKER ON ARIZONA)

 "Arizona will be a great test for us. Not only will the game be a tough road match up, Arizona is also having a great year. I am looking forward to watching our team compete against a PAC 12 opponent." 

 

THE SERIES (OVERALL: ARIZONA, 10-4; IN TUCSON: ARIZONA, 4-2)

Arizona leads the all-time series with UTEP, 10-4, including 4-2 when playing in Tucson. The series dates back to the Miners' first season (1974-75) as a program. Eleven of the match-ups occurred between 1974-75 through the 1987-88 seasons, including four contests when both schools were members of the Intermountain Athletic Conference. Monday's game marks the first trip to Tucson for the Miners since the 1987-88 campaign. UTEP claimed the most recent match-up, 64-53, as part of the Junkanoo Jam in Freeport, Bahamas, on Nov. 23, 2012. That win snapped a seven-game skid for the Orange and Blue against the Wildcats.

 

GET TO KNOW ARIZONA (8-1 OVERALL; 4-1 HOME; 2-0 ROAD, 2-0 NEUTRAL)

Arizona is off to its best start (8-1) since the 2011-12 season, and has already surpassed its win total from last year (6-24). The Wildcats are riding their longest winning streak (seven) since the 2003-04 season, and have won three games by at least 40 points for the first time in a single season in program history. UA has a +27.0 margin of victory on the year, which is third in the Pacific 12 and sixth nationally. The Wildcats also are in top-100 nationally for scoring defense (51.6, eighth), rebound margin (+11.9, 13th), field-goal percentage defense (33.5, 20th), free-throw percentage (75.6, 34th), scoring offense (78.6, 38th), turnover margin (5.1, 38th), fewest turnovers per game (13.8, 39th) field-goal percentage (45.0, 43rd), rebounds per game (43.2, 45th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.06, 53rd), steals per game (10.0, 62nd), 3-pointers made per game (7.9, 62nd), turnovers forced per game (18.9, 90th) and blocks per game (3.9, 93rd). Individually Washington transfer Aari McDonald is the nation's second-leading scorer at 25.7 points per game. She is second in the country for free throws made (62) and fifth in attempts (76) while ranking 15th in the NCAA for both field goals made (74) and attempted (160). McDonald is also 99th nationally in steals per game (2.3) Cate Reese is one of five freshmen in the country to average a double-double (14.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg). Reese places 39th nationally for rebounding and 36th in double-doubles (three). Seven of Arizona's eight wins have been by 20 or more points, including stomping Long Beach State on the road, 70-43, last time out on Dec. 9. The Wildcats have played in the NCAA Tournament on seven occasions ('97, '98, '99, '00, '03, '04 and '05) while qualifying three times ('96, '01, '11) in the WNIT). Notable university alumni include Kristen Wiig (actress), Jerry Bruckheimer (Film and TV producer, including CSI) and Kenny Lofton (former MLB All-Star for Cleveland Indians).

 

LAST MEETING WITH ARIZONA (UTEP 64, ARIZONA 53, NOVEMBER 23, 2012)

UTEP put together a 17-0 run that was wrapped around halftime and never let Pacific-12 member Arizona back into the game on the way to posting a 64-53 victory at the Junkanoo Jam on Nov. 23, 2012. The surge spanned 10:46, including the first two minutes of the second half. When it concluded, the Miners led 30-17 with 18:13 to play and the Wildcats never got closer than seven (60-53, 44 seconds left) the rest of the way out. Anete Steinberga paced a quartet of Miners in double figures with 18 points. Kayla Thornton(10 points, 10 rebounds) and Chrishauna Parker (10 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-doubles and Kelli Willingham added 11 points for UTEP The Miners kept UA to 31 percent shooting while also forcing 25 turnovers. UTEP finished at 42.9 percent (24-of-56), aided by a crisp 54.5 percent (12-of-25) in the second stanza. 

           

GOING BACK IN TIME (PORTLAND STATE 89, AT UTEP 61, 12/9/18)

Redshirt-junior Ariona Gill posted her first career double-double (17 points, career-best 12 rebounds) but an off shooting day and a balanced offensive attack from the visitors proved problematic in UTEP's 89-61 loss to undefeated Portland State at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 9. Jade Rochelle (career-high 11 points) and Ariana Taylor (career-high 10 points) came off the bench to provide a spark for the Miners, who played the second half without leading scorer and rebound Zuzanna Puc. Jordan Alexander added eight points and eight boards, but the Vikings simply had too much firepower. PSU was paced by Kylie Jimenez's 21 points while Ashley Bolston (18 points), Sidney Rielly (14 points) and Ana Tainta (13 points) also had big days. The Miners finished at 32.8 percent (20-61) from the floor, including 25.0 percent (3-12) from 3-point range. It was a different story for the Vikings, who drained 44.2 percent (34-77) of their attempts on the day. PSU had a slight edge in rebounding (45-41), with the 11 rebounds by Desirae Hanson in 20 minutes making a difference for her squad. The Vikings also had significant advantages in points in the paint (42-28) and fastbreak points (24-21). UTEP shared the ball effectively, recording 15 assists on 20 made field goals. 

 

SOME CLOSE CALLS

UTEP is on a seven-game skid and each of the past two setbacks have been by double figures, but there have been some close calls in the stretch. The first five losses were by the smallest combined differential (13 points) during a five-game skid at the school. It was also the first time in program history that there were five consecutive setbacks by five points or less.

 

INDIVIDUAL QUICK HITTERS

Jordan Jenkins has more than twice as many assists (33) as turnovers (16) ... posted at least three helpers in six straight contests ... Jordan Alexander has grabbed at least eight boards in four straight games for the first time of her career ... nailed 12-30 from 3-point range after finishing 11-40 on treys last year ... 46 of her 56 rebounds have been at the defensive end ... Six of the eight field goals on the season by Neidy Ocuane have been from 3-point range ... Zuzanna Puc missed the second half of the game against Portland State (12/9) ... hit at least 50.0 percent from the floor in six of nine games ... tallied at least six points in every contest ... made 17-20 at charity stripe over past seven games after going 4-10 to start season ... Jade Rochelle set career bests for points (11), free throws made (five) and attempted (eight) vs. PSU .. combined for 29 points & 23 rebounds the past four games; pitched in six points and eight boards the first five (one DNP) ... Ariona Gill has put up 17 points in two of past three contests ... posted first career double-double (17 points, career-best 12 rebounds) vs. Portland State ... 4-9 from distance the past three games; started year 4-16 from downtown ... tagged for team-high 22 fouls but hasn't fouled out and only once did she commit four in a single game ...Sabine Lipe is 3-4 on 2-point shots and 1-5 from distance ... nearly twice as many assists (seven) to turnovers (four) ...Ariana Taylor set career highs for points (10), field goals made (three), attempted (six), free throws made (four) and attempted (six) and minutes (14) vs. PSU ... has eight offensive boars and eight defensive rebounds ... three rebounds in back-to-back tilts ... Katarina Zec tallied at least seven points in the first seven contests but has seven total points the past two games ... hit 10 straight free throws and is 19-21 overall on the season. 

 

TRENDING WITH THE TEAM

UTEP has dished out at least 15 assists in six straight games, the longest such stretch in nonconference play since also doing so in 2005-06 ... blocked 13 shots the past three games; had seven total the first six contests ... allowed a season-high 89 points to Portland State (12/9/18) ... Abilene Christian (11/24/18) with 70 points is the only other opponent to reach 70 ... attempted a season-low tying 12 shots from distance against PSU.

 

DEFENDING WITHOUT FOULING

The Miners are committing 13.9 fouls per game (first C-USA/22nd NCAA), a stark contrast to the 19.0 fpg called on the opposition. Helping UTEP's foul average was being whistled for 11 personal fouls or less in three consecutive contests. (11/23-11/28) for the first time in program history. One direct impact has been UTEP having advantages in free throws made and attempted. The Miners are 112-161 from the charity stripe compared to their foes standing 88-119. 

 

PUTTING UP THE POINTS

Zuzanna Puc (13.3 ppg, tied 14th C-USA) leads the way offensively for the Miners, followed by Ariona Gill (12.4 ppg, 19th C-USA) and Katarina Zec (9.1 ppg). The trio is responsible for 16 of the 23 double-digit scoring efforts on the season. Puc and Gill lead with six followed by Zec andJordan Alexander (four), Alexa Hoy (one), Jordan Jenkins (one), Jade Rochelle (one) and Ariana Taylor (one) round out the list. 

 

SHARING IS CARING

UTEP is producing 16.8 assists per contest (second C-USA/37th NCAA). Jordan Jenkins leads the way at 3.5 assists per game (tied sixth C-USA/210th NCAA). UTEP's assist-to-turnover ratio stands at +1.06 (second C-USA/56th NCAA). The Miners have posted at least 20 assist in three different games to match the total such efforts in 2017-18.

 

TALKING PLAYING TIME

Eight different players have appeared in every contest this year. Ariona Gill (31.1, 10th C-USA), Zuzanna Puc (29.4 mpg) and Katarina Zec (27.1 mpg) have started all nine games while Jordan Alexander (25.7 mpg) has eight starts. Eight players log at least 10.0 minutes per game, and every individual is securing better than 7.0 mpg.

 

TRACKING THE OPPOSITION

UTEP'S opponents have a combined win/loss record of 46-32 (.590) on the season, aided by match-ups against Portland State (8-0), New Mexico (8-1) and Abilene Christian (7-2). That mark will improve with Monday's game, as Arizona enters at 8-1 on the season

 

UTEP IN THE RANKINGS

UTEP is in the upper echelon of C-USA and among the top-100 nationally for fewest fouls per game (13.9, first/22nd), assists per game (16.8, second/37th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.05, second/56th).

 

INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Zuzanna Puc is in the C-USA/NCAA rankings in field-goal percentage (57.6, seventh/32nd). She is also appears in the league leaders for offensive rebounds per game (2.4, ninth), rebounds per game (6.3, tied 11th), blocks per game (0.8, tied 12th) and points per game (13.3, tied 14th). Jordan Jenkins is among the league/national rankings for assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1, fifth/87th) and assists per game (3.7, tied sixth, 210th).Jordan Alexander checks in the C-USA rankings for defensive rebounds per game (5.1, eighth), 3-point percentage (40.0, tied 13th), and rebounds per game (6.2, tied 14th).Katarina Zec is sixth in the league for free-throw percentage (90.5). Ariona Gill is tied for 10th in C-USA in minutes per game (31.1) and places 19th for scoring (12.4 ppg).

 

PUC POWER

Zuzanna Puc paces the Miners in scoring (13.3 ppg, tied 14th C-USA), rebounding (6.3 rpg, tied 11th C-USA), field-goal percentage (57.6, seventh C-USA/32nd NCAA) and double-doubles (two) while sharing the team lead for double-digit scoring efforts (six). 

 

WORTH THE WAIT

Ariona Gill, who sat out last year as a redshirt, has proven to be worth the wait. She leads the squad in minutes played (31.1 mpg, tied 10th C-USA), free throws made (22) and attempted (31) while sharing the top spot for double-digit scoring games (six). Gill is second on the second for scoring (12.4 ppg, 19th C-USA), offensive rebounds (15) and steals (six). She places third in rebounding (5.1 rpg).

 

THE BAKER FILE (OVERALL: 363-152, COLLEGE: 141-51, UTEP: 19-21)

Kevin Baker is in his second year (19-21) at the helm of the UTEP women's basketball team. He is in his 17th year overall (363-152) as a head coach, including his seventh season (141-51) as a college head coach. He has a unique background which has seen him rise through the coaching ranks from the high school level, to NCAA Division III, then NCAA Division II and now his NCAA Division I position at UTEP. He has set school records for wins at every previous stop of his career, and has taken every prior school to the postseason with a total of five district championships. He is an eight-time Coach of the Year. In his most-recent posts prior to UTEP, Baker's teams captured back-to-back conference championships at UT-Tyler and Angelo State. Baker led both a Division II (Angelo State) and Division III (UT-Tyler) school to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

 

BAKER'S FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS

Kevin Baker set the school record for most wins (17-14) by a first-year Miner head coach in 2017-18, but that doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. The seven previous first-year head coaches had an average combined record of 8-17. Carol Ammermann (11-5, 1974-75) and Janet Wood (11-16, 1979-80) shared the school mark for wins (11). Baker obliterated that figure while also joining Ammermann as the lone individuals to experience a winning season in year one at UTEP. Furthermore, Baker became the initial first-year Miner head coach to taste victory at the league tournament.

 

CHANCE AT MORE HISTORY

If the Miners can recover from the sluggish start (currently 2-7) and finish above .500 Kevin Baker would become the first coach in program history to post winning records in each of their opening two seasons. Carol Ammermann went 11-5 in 1974-75, but slipped to 6-11 the ensuing year. Baker is the eighth head coach in program history.

 

WINNING NUMBERS UNDER BAKER

The Miners are 8-2 under Kevin Baker ( 1-2 this year) when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor. Other notable records in the Baker era include being 14-6 (1-2 in '18-19) when tied or leading after three quarters, 9-1 (1-0 this year) when scoring 70+ points and 8-3 (1-2 this season) when drilling better than 40 percent from 3-point range (min. four makes)

 

HOME SWEET HOME

UTEP has an all-time home record of 362-224, including standing 2-5 in the Don Haskins Center in 2018-19. The Miners have amassed a record of 164-50 at home since 2006-07, including 97-33 since 2011-12. Aiding that 97-33 mark was a school-record (winning percentage) 19-1 home record in 2015-16. UTEP has been particularly strong in nonconference play, standing 82-17 in the Sun City in such contests since 2006-07. 

 

TRAVEL TIME

UTEP is 144-365 all time on the road, including 0-2 thus far in 2018-19. When playing at a neutral site the Miners stand 60-79, including 3-1 last year. Since the start of the 2006-07 season UTEP is 60-70 on the road, including 36-39 since 2011-12. 

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

UTEP juniors Zuzanna Puc and Katarina Zec are starting to sprinkle their names in the UTEP career records. Zec is 18th in 3-pointers made (69) and games started (59), 20th in 3-pointers attempted (208) and 51st in points (510). Puc is 12th in blocked shots (43), tied 33rd for field goals made (241) and 43rd in points (582).

FOURTH BEST IN TEXAS SINCE 2006-07

The Miners have the fourth-highest winning percentage and fourth-most victories among all DI programs in the state of Texas since 2006-07. Power conference members Baylor (390-53, 88.0%), Texas A&M (315-110, 74.1%) and Texas (269-142, 65.5%) lead the way followed by the Miners (248-141, 63.8%). Lamar (237-146, 61.9%), Stephen F. Austin (233-148, 61.2%), TCU (229-165, 58.1%), Prairie View A&M (206-182, 53.1), SMU (201-182, 52.8%), and Texas Tech (190-198, 49.0%) round out the top 10. 

 

SPECIAL RUN

The Miners are 148-87 since the start of the 2011-12 season (2-7 this year). UTEP has played postseason basketball three times during the stretch, making two deep runs in the WNIT (2014 runner-up, 2016 quarterfinals) and earning the C-USA automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament (lost, first round). The Orange and Blue have enjoyed 18 separate winning streaks of at least three games (eight such skids), and posted 88 double-digit victories (42 such losses) during that time frame

 

45 YEARS AND COUNTING

The 2018-19 season marks the 45th in program history. The 1974-75 squad, the inaugural one at UTEP, will be honored in the Miners' game against WKU on Feb. 2, 2019. The 1974-75 finished 11-5, including 8-1 in El Paso.

 

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2018-19 MINERS

UTEP returned four letter winners (Jordan Alexander-8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, Jordan Jenkins-2.0 ppg, 1.4 apg, Zuzanna Puc-9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and Katarina Zec-9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) from last year's squad (17-14, 7-9 C-USA). Also back are a pair of players (Ariona Gill and Neidy Ocuane) who sat out last year as redshirts. The Miners also have newcomers (Eliana Cabral, freshman guard, Alexa Hoy, sophomore guard, Sabine Lipe, freshman guard, Jade Rochelle, junior guard/forward and Ariana Taylor, freshman forward), but Cabral is slated to take a redshirt year in 2018-19. The squad is under the direction of second-year head coach Kevin Baker, who is assisted by Lori Morris, Michael Madrid and Kayla Weaver.  

 

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR

Nearly half (5-11) of the Miners' roster in 2018-19 is comprised of international players. Eliana Cabral(Portugal), Sabine Lipe (Latvia), Neidy Ocuane(Mozambique), Zuzanna Puc (Poland) and Katarina Zec(Serbia) give UTEP a distinct international flavor this season. 

 

TEXAS STRONG

The Miners feature five native Texans (Jordan Alexander, Dallas, Alexa Hoy, Rockwall, Jordan Jenkins, Tennessee Colony, Jade Rochelle, Grandview and Ariana Taylor, Houston) on the roster. The only other American on the team (Ariona Gill) hails from Las Vegas, Nev.

 

SHARING THE LEADERSHIP

For the third straight season the Miners features a squad with just one senior (Jordan Alexander). She is far from alone in terms of leadership, with five juniors (Ariona Gill,Neidy Ocuane, Zuzanna Puc, Jade Rochelle and Katarina Zec) on the roster. Puc and Zec have earned a pair of letters for the Miners. Gill and Ocuane sat out last season as redshirts, while Rochelle is a transfer from Blinn College. 

 

BASIC FACTS ON UTEP

UTEP is 566-669 in its 45th season as a women's basketball program, including standing 2-7 in 2018-19. The Miners have made four postseason bids (2016,-WNIT quarterfinals; 2014-WNIT runner-up, 2012-NCAA first round and 2008-NCAA second round), sporting a combined record of 9-4 (8-2 WNIT, 1-2 NCAA). UTEP has claimed four league championships (2016 C-USA regular season, 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament and 2008 C-USA regular season). It has a 1-1 record all time in league tournament title games, cutting down the nets in 2012 and falling in 2008. There have been six 20+ win seasons (all since 2006-07), UTEP has cracked the top-25 poll in two seasons (2015-16, 2007-08), including being ranked in the final six weeks in '07-08, while receiving votes in seven campaigns total ('15-16, '13-14, '12-13, '11-12, '08-09, '07-08 and '06-07). The Miners have been mentioned in the AP Preseason Poll four times (most recent 2016-17). In 2008 UTEP became the first C-USA women's team to finish undefeated in league play (16-0) while claiming the program's initial league title. The Miners finished 15-1 in C-USA in 2012 in addition to also winning the program's first conference tournament championship. UTEP owns the C-USA single-season record for winning streak at 23, which was set in 2007-08. The University of Texas at El Paso was founded in 1914. Notable alumni include former ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson, well-respected and former NFL referee Ed Hochuli, former NASA astronaut Danny Olivas engineer & Dennis Poon, who designed Taipei 101 & some of the tallest buildings in the world.

 

QUICK 2017-18 YEAR IN REVIEW

The Miners compiled an overall record of 17-14 (7-9 in C-USA play, 9-4 in nonconference action) to surge past the 2016-17 team's overall victory total (8-23) by nine wins while also exceeding the number of league victories (5-13 C-USA). UTEP also won a game at the C-USA tournament, and it even led top-seed UAB by five points late in the third quarter before ultimately succumbing, 75-66, on March 8, 2018.

 

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Fans are encouraged to connect with the Miners on Facebook (UTEP Women's Basketball), Instagram (@utepwbb) and Twitter (@UTEPWBB). 

 

NEXT UP

UTEP will venture to Las Vegas for a pre-Festivus tournament, playing twice in as many days. The Miners will face Western Illinois (2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT, Thursday) and Akron (5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT, Friday) as part of the Last Vegas Christmas Shootout.

 

CLIFF NOTES ON THE 2018-19 SEASON

PUC TALLIES SEASON-HIGH 21 POINTS IN LOSS AT UNM (AT NEW MEXICO 69, UTEP 51, 12/5/18)

Zuzanna Puc poured in a season-high 21 points, including 10 during a big first quarter, but UTEP couldn't sustain its fast start in a 69-51 loss at New Mexico on Dec. 5. The Miners bolted out to a 19-10 advantage through 10 minutes of action, with Puc single-handily matching the Lobos for scoring in the frame. The home side regrouped and responded in a big way to pull away over the final three quarters. In spite of that, UTEP kept the Lobos to a season-low 69 points. UNM entered the game putting up 81 points per game and was flying high after routing NM State, 83-58, last time out on Dec. 1. Jordan Jenkins (eight points, five assists) and Jordan Alexander (seven points, nine boards) buoyed the efforts of Puc. UTEP recorded 15 assists on its 20 made field goals while also keeping things competitive on the glass (41-38, UNM). Overall the Miners connected on 36.4 percent (20-55) from the floor, including a sizzling 53.3 percent (8-15) over the first 10 minutes of action.

 

A-STATE SLIPS PAST UTEP (ARKANSAS STATE 67, AT UTEP 66, 12/1/18)

UTEP connected on 50 percent of its shots (23-46) and won the rebounding battle (37-31) but visiting Arkansas State escaped with a 67-66 win at the Don Haskins on Dec. 1. The Miners led by two (66-64) before Akasha Westbrook converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to put the Red Wolves up by one (67-66) with 13 seconds left. UTEP called timeout to advance the ball and looked to retake the lead but it wasn't in the cards as redshirt-junior Neidy Ocuane was called for a change with less than a second to play. UTEP had led by as many as 10 (37-27, 8:23 3Q) early in the second half, and the margin was still at five (48-43) going into the fourth quarter before A-State rallied. Redshirt-junior Ariona Gill (17 points), Alexander (13 points) and junior Zuzanna Puc (12 points) set the tone offensively for the Miners. Transfer Jade Rochelle pitched in eight points and a career-best nine rebounds in a personal-best 24 minutes played. UTEP held A-State to 38.7 percent (24-62) from the floor, including just 23.5 percent (4-17) from 3-point range. The visitors compensated for that by forcing 23 Miner turnovers that were converted into 27 points. Another factor was A-State, which entered the contest leading the nation in both free throws made and attempted, going 15-26 at the charity stripe. Included in that was a 12-22 effort in the second half. UTEP was 12-13 from the free-throw line, including 8-9 in the final 20 minutes. 

 

NEARLY PERFECT AT THE LINE

UTEP nailed 12-13 from the free-throw line against Arkansas State (12/1). It marked the ninth-highest percentage (92.3) in a single game at program history. Zuzanna Puc and Jade Rochelle keyed the efforts by both going 4-4.

 

BLOCK PARTY

UTEP was credited with its most blocked shots (eight) of the Kevin Baker era in the setback against Arkansas State (12/1). Zuzanna Puc set the tone with a career-best four rejections. Ariona Gill also established a personal best with two blocks while Jordan Alexander and Jade Rochelle added one each.

 

MINERS UPENDED AT WEBER STATE (AT WEBER STATE 68, UTEP 63 11/28/18)

Jordan Alexander produced her first double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) of the year while  Katarina Zec added a season-high 15 points but a slow start doomed UTEP in its 68-63 setback at Weber State on Nov. 28. The Miners were sluggish at the onset, with the Wildcats capitalizing in the form of a 15-0 run over the first five minutes of the game. UTEP went to work from the point on, getting the deficit all the way down to two (43-41, 4:07 3Q) midway through the third quarter. WSU responded five a 5-0 run and the Miners couldn't get closer than five the rest of the way. UTEP piled up 15 assists on 22 made field goals, while tying for the fewest turnovers (six) in a road game in program history. The boards (42-41, WSU) were competitive as well but the home side found some separation with its shooting. WSU nailed 44.2 percent (23-52) from the field, including drilling 10-21 (47.6 percent) from 3-point range. Conversely, the Miners finished at 29.7 percent (22-74) from the floor. The Miners hit a season-best nine triples but needed the second-most attempts (33) in program history to do so. Zec drilled a quartet of triples while Alexander connected on 3-6 from beyond-the-arc. Jade Rochelle came off the bench to contribute career bests in both points (eight) and rebounds (eight), while Alexa Hoy added nine. Ariona Gill chipped in six points and career-high six boards. 

 

ABILENE CHRISTIAN OUTLASTS UTEP (ABILENE CHRISTIAN 70, AT UTEP 69, 11/24/18)

Ariona Gill poured in a career-high 22 points whileZuzanna Puc added 18 points but visiting Abilene Christian outlasted UTEP, 70-69, in the final game of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 24. The Miners trailed the Wildcats by as many as 15 (23-8) in the opening quarter but they slowly but surely chipped away at the deficit. UTEP reduced the margin to seven (37-30) at the break before managing to take a one-point edge (50-49) heading to the fourth quarter. It was a back-and-fourth battle down the stretch, with ACU going back on top for good with a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left. An unlucky pass led to Gill having to race down the ball before heaving up a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer. UTEP drilled 52.5 percent (31-59) from the floor while also committing the then fewest turnovers (nine) of the Kevin Baker era but ACU was locked in offensively as well. The Wildcats drilled 51.1 percent (24-47) of their shots, including draining 14-28 (50.0) from beyond-the-arc. They also won the boards, 29-23.Katarina Zec pitched in 11 points to join Gill and Puc in double figures. Four different Miners registered five assists each to help UTEP pile up a season-best 24 assists. Dominique Golightly (18 points) and Makayla Mabry (17 points) led the way for ACU. The duo combined to make 10-17 from 3-point range.

 

POUNDING IT IN THE PAINT

UTEP attacked Abilene Christian down low, piling up 50 points in the paint. It marked the first time that the Miners have amassed that many points in the paint against a DI opponent since also tallying 50 in an 83-62 home win against FIU on Feb. 8, 2014.

 

COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT TO NICHOLLS (NICHOLLS STATE 58, AT UTEP 56, 11/23/18)

Ariona Gill (14 points) and Jordan Alexander (season-high 12 points) hit double figures in scoring as UTEP rallied back from a 17-point second-quarter deficit to regain the lead several occasions in the fourth quarter only to have visiting Nicholls State pull out a 58-56 win as part of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center Friday afternoon. The Miners (2-2) trailed 28-11 with 2:56 to play in the second period but they refused to quit against the Colonels (1-4). The home side used a huge third quarter (23-12) to get back within striking distance heading to the final frame. UTEP continued its push in the fourth quarter, going up by three (45-42) with 7:44 left. Nicholls State countered with eight straight points to vault out by five (50-45) before the Miners tallied the next six points to jump ahead by one (51-50). It was a seesaw battle the rest of the way, with a pair of free throws from Cassidy Barrios providing the seventh and final lead change with 52 seconds left. UTEP had a chance to tie or win it with two seconds left, but was unable to get a shot off.  Barrios produced a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the way for Nicholls State. She was supported by a nine-point effort from Kinzie Heineman. UTEP connected 42.6 percent (20-47) from the floor, including 8-20 on 3-pointers, while also committing a season-low 13 turnovers but issues elsewhere doomed the home side. The Miners were 8-17 on free throws and were outrebounded, 34-27.

 

BOMBS AWAY

The Miners nailed a season-high eight 3-pointers in the setback vs. Nicholls State (11/23). Leading the charge was senior Jordan Alexander, who drilled a career-best four treys on five attempts on the way to a season-best 12 points. 

 

UTEP RALLY FALLS SHOT TO NM STATE (NM STATE 69, AT UTEP 65, 11/17/18)

Zuzanna Puc registered her second straight double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) and UTEP battled valiantly but its comeback bid came up short in a 69-65 defeat to NM State in the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10 at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 17. The Miners dug themselves an 18-5 hole nine minutes into the game, allowing the four-time defending WAC regular-season champion Aggies a much greater cushion than they needed. UTEP went to work, reducing the deficit to eight (30-22) at the break. The margin remained eight (53-45) with 7:14 remaining in regulation before the Miners uncorked an 11-3 surge to finally pull even at 56 with 3:03 left. NM State didn't flinch, countering with 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to extend its advantage back to six (62-56). UTEP inched within three (64-61) with 1:08 left but the Aggies put the game away by nailing their eighth and final triple of the contest.Katarina Zec (14 points), Ariona Gill (14 points) and Alexa Hoy (career-high 13 points) joined Puc in double figures for scoring. Neidy Ocuane got involved as well, setting career bests for points (five), rebounds (five) and assists (three).

 

UTEP GRINDS OUT WIN VS. CSUB (AT UTEP 53, CSU BAKERSFIELD 47, 11/14/18)

Zuzanna Puc registered her fifth career double-double (12 points, personal-best tying 12 rebounds), and the defense did the rest in UTEP's 53-47 win against CSU Bakersfield at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 14. The Miners held the Roadrunners to 28.8 percent (17-59) from the field, while also winning the rebounding battle (46-34) in the tightly-contested ballgame. UTEP outscored CSUB, 19-9, in the final frame to rally back from a four-point deficit (38-34) through 30 minutes of action. There were six ties and eight lead changes, with the final with coming during a 9-0 Miner run in the fourth quarter. The surge, which spanned roughly five minutes, turned a 41-36 deficit into a 45-41 advantage. UTEP never relinquished the lead from that point. The biggest shot was a 3-pointer by Neidy Ocuane, which proved to be the lone triple (1-20) of the game for the Orange and Blue. CSUB did fight back to tie the contest, 47-47, but the Miners pitched a shutout over the final 2:18. Katarina Zecconnected on 6-8 at the charity stripe in that sequence to give the home side just enough to pull out the win. Zec finished with nine points and eight boards to support Puc, while Jordan Alexander contributed eight points and a quartet of rebounds. Sophomore Jordan Jenkins added six points and a career-high tying five boards. The Roadrunners were led by 13 points and 12 boards from Malayasia McHenry. CSUB's Alexxus Gilbert and Jazmine Johnson were held to a total of 14 points on a combined 4-16 shooting. The duo entered the contest contributing 29.5 ppg on a combined 22-49 from the floor. 

 

UTEP DOWNS ALCORN STATE IN OPENER (AT UTEP 77, ALCORN STATE 51, 11/10/18)

Zuzanna Puc poured in 18 points to pace a quartet of players in double figures as the UTEP women's basketball team cruised to a 77-51 season-opening win vs. Alcorn State on Nov. 10. Ariona Gill (15 points), Jordan Jenkins (career-high 11 points, six assists) and Katarina Zec (11 points, personal-best tying nine rebounds) also got after it for the Miners. UTEP connected on 52.6 percent (30-57) from the floor, tied for the sixth-best rebounding margin (+27, 48-21) in program history and racked up 23 assists on 30 made field goals. They held ASU to 30.2 percent (16-53) shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Conchi Satorre pitched in five points and a trio of boards in 10 minutes of action to lead the reserves in scoring. The Lady Braves scored the first two points of the contest on a jumper, but UTEP punched back with a 12-0 surge over the next five minutes. The home side never trailed again.

 

BIGGEST WIN UNDER COACH BAKER

UTEP's 26-point romp against Alcorn State served as its largest margin of victory under head coach Kevin Baker. The previous high was a 20-point differential (69-49) vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 18, 2017.

 

START IT UP

UTEP improved to 25-20 all time in season openers, including 21-7 when doing so in El Paso. The Miners are now 2-0 under Kevin Baker in season lidlifters.